Heatwave! Britain to bask in warm sunshine for 10 days

Britain will enjoy 10 days of warm sunshine and rain-free weather as a spring 'heatwave' hits the country.

Forecasters say that this is the first prolonged dry spell since the start of December.

We can expect dry days and temperatures up to 19C up until next weekend, according to Leon Brown, meteorologist at The Weather Channel.

He told Aol Travel: "There's a dry week ahead, due to a high pressure, but there will still be quite a range in temperatures and chilly nights.

"We may see dry weather over the south for much of next week, becoming warmer again from next Wednesday. Temperatures will possibly reach 18 to 19C by next Thursday and Friday over central and southern areas as the high pressure tries to build back over the UK from the south west. It will be colder in the north though.

"So next week there will be a cloudier start, but mainly dry in the south with most of the rain over the north. The week will end warmer and sunnier over the south."

However, as with all good things, Leon added that it won't last, saying: "Probably a lot colder and unsettled by next weekend."

Meanwhile, striking pictures have emerged showing the dramatic difference between temperatures this time last year and the warmer temps this year.

The Bow Lee Beck at Gibsons Cave in Teesdale was last year frozen after the mercury plunged and Britain shivered.

The temperature at the cave on 13 March was a temperate 16C.

Make the most of the balmier weather at one of Britain's beautiful beaches: